Monday, August 04, 2014

Tower Bridge, Tower of London and the Thames!

Someone please pinch me, because I can’t believe that our hotel is within walking distance of the “Queen’s Walk” that goes right along the Thames river! And within walking distance is London’s magnificent icon ---Tower Bridge.

And yes, you can go right up on the bridge, it is very pedestrian friendly…and cross the bridge on foot. You can buy a ticket to tour the towers themselves, if you want.

On the other side of the Thames is the Tower of London.

So much history happened here. And here I am in the middle of it.

If you have a chance to take a tour like this, do NOT miss it. We are always waiting for “some day”. But what I’ve found is that I need to be young enough to do it to do it well, the way I want to. To really live this experience. I don’t want to wait until I can’t get around the way I do now. These moments and these memories are priceless to me.

Cone flowers grow in a garden area called “Potters Field” near Queen’s Walk.

Hello, Beauties!

Modern buildings on our hotel side of the Thames.

The ultra modern heart of London in the distance across the water.

Up on the bridge as dusk is falling.

Not a great photo, but hey, I’m here!

What a gorgeous night!

Tower of London on the other side after crossing.

What an imposing structure!

The red are ceramic poppies, a memorial for the 100th anniversary of WWI.

The poppies are still being installed..the exhibit doesn’t start for a couple days yet!

Last afternoon and evening we had time to explore a bit on our own. I found myself back across the bridge, fish n chips in hand for dinner ----and I sat there on a bench, solo, people watching and just contemplating.

You just never know where life will take you if you go out and explore it!

This moment is forever embedded in the book of my life. August 3, 2014 ---when Bonnie sat on a beautiful evening in front of the Tower of London eating fish n chips for dinner, after walking across the Tower Bridge, a part of the history of this place.

What could make it more magnificent?

Up goes the draw bridge!

Something you don’t see every day ---Tower bridge with draw bridge up allowing the passage of a river cruise ship on the Thames.

Some tips for your readers - if you go to the tower bridge website, it will tell u when the bridge will next be raised. (We always seem to miss it!)

If you buy a train - not underground or oyster - but an overground train ticket into London, there are 241 (or in other words buy one get one free) deal on most London attractions http://m.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-London

and this site is great you can download free self-guided tours of London http://www.londonforfree.net/walks/

Hi Bonnie, I was in London for a day in 2009. Went to England to see family in the Midlands. I went to the Tower, well worth the entry fee! Saw the Beefeaters, and our tour guide claimed that England had Watergate long before America. Theirs is an actual gate where royalty bound for the tower were bought in in privacy. Loving your tour of England, one day I would love to join you. Julie

If you get chance try the Tower Bridge experience where you go inside the bridge, the views from the top walkways are spectacular.Great pictures, I took my grandson to London for the first time last week and we did much the same as you. Camden is worth a visit, the markets are great.

I'm glad you're enjoying our capital city, Bonnie! Enjoy the rest of your tour - I hope you miss the rain that's forecast a shame when we've had weeks of sunshine! I'm sorry to miss you in Birmingham, I'll be there on Thursday but you'll have fun!! I live near Bath and visited yesterday - it was heaving with people!! It's great to read your comments!!! Jenny Bristol

So glad you are enjoying your trip Bonnie. I am enjoying your enthusiasm and it is making me appreciate again things I have perhaps taken for granted as I live a couple of hours away.Sadly I cannot make it to FoQ this year but hope you have a great time.

What a great travel teacher you are! I love your attitude of going while you are young enough to do it right. PBS just had a 60" show on the tower of London. Hope you can get inside. Are you going up in the 'eye' of London? I think you should. Have fun.

Having lived in England for 3 years in the 70's makes me want to go back again! We have been back several times but it is time again. Next time, renting car for a couple of weeks and driving to old and familiar haunts! Other European countries are fine but in ENgland, at least we can sort of speak the same language!